Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-05-11
Virginia Agriculture.

Randolph Harrison, our Commissioner OF
Agriculture, in his April report. Under the
heading "The General Outlook" = he
commences by asking the following very
broad question-one that is not confined to
Virginia, but is at this time the absorbing
enquiry of the agriculturists the world
over: "What are farmers to do in view OF
the hard times and low prices of pred
uce which cause their business to be so
Improbable ?'
After referring to the importance of this
question, as it is considered IN other coun-
tries, including England, with the various
remedies suggested by as many different
writers for relief, some of which are very
wide apart, and as there is in our country
the same diversity of opinion, he concludes
that there is no single cause, and no single
remedy. The difficulties arising from
natural causes will have to be readjusted
by the general laws of supply and demand,
and in that particular the question of over
production or under consumption comes
in.
On the question of over-production COL
Professor Puryear who has been writing in
the American Farmer on that subject,
maintaining that the agricultural depres-
sion arises from other causes than over
production. In the EXTRACTS made from
Colonel Harrison's report, the reader will
observe that the Professors views are re-
ferred to, and they will accordingly under
stand him so far as he excludes the idea
that what appears to be unwieldy surplus
is working hurtful results to our producing
interests. He maintains that artificial
barriers have been the cause of our trou-
bles, and if they "were removed, the cry of
scarcity would at once take the place Of
over-production. Colonel Harrison fol-
lows with these remarks -
"But it is the general proposition-the
question of ''over-production" -which l
want every Virginia farmer to consider
1t would be hard to name one OF more
moment to them-one which should engage
more of their attention There should be
definite conclusion on this point, il it be
possible to arrive at one. If the markets
of the world are overstocked with such and
such products, and are likely to be glutted
at any time, had we not better know ii, and
shape our course accordingly?
What do we mean by cover productions"
I think we may fairly apply the word when
! tho amount produced Of any commodity is
so great in proportion to the consumption
| that stocks accumulate at all the CONNER
cial centres, and buyers become Indifferent
about laying in supplies, fearing that prices
will decline heavily on their hands ard
| when the selling price becomes SO low as to
be actually less than the cost of production
| in many places. l think this indicates
over-production - and as this state Of
things prevails very generally at the pres
ent time. l cannot but differ from Professor
Pulyear and other writer's, who maintain
| in effect that the tower reproduction" We
seem to suffer under is not real. l do not
believe that any legislation could create
healthy demand sufficient to absorb all the
surplus stocks of the articles named by
him, especially tobacco. At the same time
we ought to use every effort to procure
removal of the artificial distractions to
natural, healthy and equitable interchange
and consumption Of commodities of all
sorts. We have right to demand fair
play, and no unnecessary imposts. If that
much be assured us, and still ''over-pro-
duction'' stares US in the face, we can
adapt ourselves to the situation, having
nobody to blame.
Now, however, we may differ as to the
cause,-whether it is 0Uer-producti0n or
under-cOnsumptiOn, we are growing more
of the three staple articles mentioned by
Professor Puryear-graip, meat, and to-
bacco--than buyers take up at remuner-
alive prices. q mention DR.. Puryear
because he is the foremost and most pro-
nounced of those who think as he does. y
We can see this, and we can feel it; and
we must not flatter ourselves that legisla-.
ton is going to accomplish wonders for US
in the way of raising prices, although it
can do vast deal to better our condition
in other respects and public sentiment is
moving strongly in that direction, as shown
by the recent action of Congress on bills for
the benefit of the agricultural interest,"
Farmers should look mainly to themselves;
much is gained when we settle down to
that. Let us calculate for low prices of
certain products, and figure on that basis
how we can best afford to work.
The production of grain (of acheat espe-
cially) is capable of indefinite extension for
ton of profit or loss, how much shall be
thrown on the market. New improvements
in labor-saving machinery and ever cheap
ening transportation affecting production
and distribution, are making it easier and
easier to ''over-produce." Wheat adapts
itself to wonderful range of soil and
climate. 1t is largely exported from India
and Australia in the tropics, and from
British America and the Baltic provinces
in the North, and can be grown more or
| less in all the intermediate countries. Indian
| corn has a much narrower limit as only
warm or temperate regions will mature it
so that there is not the same ultimate risk
of reproduction of this grain that is pos
sible in wheat. 1t is thought by some that
corn cultivation in this country has nearly
reached its limits (of course the production
may be greatly increased within those
limits), while the area of wheat culture has
vast uDdeYeloped regions yet to be taken
possession Of In British America alone
there is enough of the finest wheat soil
upon earth to produce grain to supply all
the civilized nations of the world, as have
b2en told by an intelligent gentleman who
has travelled over the country. Sir John
Lawes found in a sample of the virgin soil
of Manitoba, submitted to him for analysis,
bHlCo 1u0 pclSoltd5o VI iitloSOh \OliO uuiiJI-
nant for whea0 contained in a sample of
highly improved land in England. There
are hundreds of thousands of square miles
of such land there that will produce the
finest wheat, rye or oats, but will not
mature Indian corn, because the season is
too short. Even in far eff Alaska it is said
that wheat can be successfully grown in the
valley of the Yukon. Bat generations will
pass away before that country need be re-
sorted to. The great prairies of the United
States and those Of British America, just
spoken of. are yet to be drawn upon, and
acress the Atlantic there are immense tracts
in Russia, in Australia and in India, which
will be cultivated in wheat as soon as the
demand shall warrant
There are still other contingencies which
may possibly arise to further embarrass
American wbeat-growers. The largest cut
look for our surplus grain is Great Britain.
Suppose that market is closed against US
How /? By protective duties. But some
will say s'that can never be The people